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fiat

[fee-aht, -at; fahy-uh t, -at]

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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR fiat ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an authoritative decree, sanction, or order: a royal fiat.

a fixed form of words containing the word fiat, by which a person in authority gives sanction, or authorization.

an arbitrary decree or pronouncement, especially by a person or group of persons having absolute authority to enforce it: The king ruled by fiat.

Origin of fiat

1625–35; < Latin: let it be done, 3rd singular present subjunctive of fierī to become

fiat justitia, ruat caelum

[fee-aht yoo s-tee-tee-ah roo-aht kahy-loo m; English fee-aht juhs-tish-ee-uh roo-at see-luh m, fahy-uh t]

Latin.

let there be justice though the heavens fall.

fiat lux

[fee-aht loo ks; English fee-aht luhks, fahy-uh t]

Latin.

let there be light.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for fiat

edict, decree, dictum, permission, ordinance, endorsement, precept, command, sanction, mandate, dictate, warrant, authorization, ukase

Examples from the Web for fiat

Contemporary Examples of fiat

But the recent batch of polls shows Americans to be, what else, deeply split on whether Obama was right to do this by fiat.
Staving Off a Democratic Civil War
Michael Tomasky
December 2, 2014
The Senate had, in fact, been in pro forma session when Obama issued his fiat that the body was in recess.
The ‘Defining Issue of Our Time’ Is Obama’s Constitutional Excesses
Ron Christie
January 9, 2014
Coinbase and Vault of Satoshi both allow users to purchase Bitcoin with dollars and other fiat currency.
Should Baby Boomers Invest in Bitcoin?
Sarah Kunst
January 9, 2014
He has opted for Fiat cars instead of the armored Mercedes “Popemobile” favored by his predecessors.
Germany’s Bishop of Bling
Barbie Latza Nadeau
October 16, 2013
He also was named to the Group Executive Council (GEC) as head of Fiat Brand and CMO for Fiat in September 2011.
The Hero Summit 2013 Speakers
September 10, 2013

Historical Examples of fiat

The fiat demanded no limitation to her stay with “sister” Emma.
The Hound From The North
Ridgwell Cullum
He had to meet the tired, sweet servitors without and announce a man's fiat.
The Prisoner
Alice Brown
Fiat voluntas &c. thy will be done in earth as it is in heuen.
Shakespeare Jest-Books;
Unknown
He became the umpire of taste, and his word was received as the fiat of fashion.
Evenings at Donaldson Manor
Maria J. McIntosh
The judge at last rises, and, with mock solemnity, delivers his fiat.
Barn and the Pyrenees
Louisa Stuart Costello

British Dictionary definitions for fiat

fiat

noun

official sanction; authoritative permission

an arbitrary order or decree

mainly literary any command, decision, or act of will that brings something about

Word Origin for fiat

C17: from Latin, literally: let it be done, from fierī to become

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for fiat

n.

"authoritative sanction," 1630s, from Latin fiat "let it be done" (also used in the opening of Medieval Latin proclamations and commands), third person singular present subjunctive of fieri, used as passive of facere "to make, do" (see factitious). Also sometimes a reference to fiat lux "let there be light" in the Book of Genesis.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper